A Facilities Manager’s Guide to UK Electrical Compliance Deadlines

A useful electrical compliance calendar shows who is responsible, what is due and what happens when a defect is found. It should reflect your premises and equipment, rather than apply one testing interval to everything.

This guide helps facilities managers organise the appliance-maintenance part of that calendar and separate it from work for other competent contractors. AiO specialises in PAT testing.

Build the calendar from your actual records

• List each maintenance activity, responsible person and contractor.
• Record the next review or inspection date, its source and any access requirements.
• Use the latest inspection report, manufacturer instructions and your risk assessment to set reminders.
• Give every outstanding defect an owner and a completion date.

A diary reminder is useful only if someone checks the work was completed and follows up the findings.

Keep PAT and fixed-installation work distinct

PAT concerns the electrical equipment within the agreed inspection scope. Fixed wiring, distribution boards and socket circuits need a separate maintenance and inspection arrangement. A PAT report does not replace an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

Fire alarms, emergency lighting, EV charging equipment and other specialist systems also have their own maintenance requirements. Confirm those with the responsible specialist; this article does not prescribe a universal timetable for them.

Set appliance intervals by risk

There is no blanket legal requirement to PAT test every appliance annually. Consider the equipment class, use, environment, movement and previous defects. User checks, formal visual inspections and electrical tests can have different intervals.

Review the plan when equipment changes, a room changes use or recurring damage is found. Discuss your appliance testing requirements with us and keep the reasoning with your maintenance records.

Further guidance: HSE answers on PAT and inspection frequency.

Plan the visit and follow-up together

• Before booking: confirm appliance numbers, site locations and any industrial equipment.
• Before arrival: agree access, shutdown windows and a site contact.
• During the visit: flag unavailable equipment and arrange how failed items will be kept out of use.
• Afterwards: review the report, assign repairs or replacements, and record any further checks before return to service.

Avoid disconnecting servers, tills, refrigeration or other critical equipment without the responsible person’s agreement.

Keep evidence that people can use

Store the asset list, inspection and test results, records of repairs and the next review dates together. Labels should let staff identify the matching item in the report; they are not a guarantee that it cannot develop a fault later.

View the report and label examples to see how that handover can work.

Common scheduling mistakes

• Treating every annual reminder as a legal deadline.
• Using one interval for office IT and heavily used site tools.
• Booking testing without time for defect follow-up.
• Marking inaccessible items as complete.
• Assuming a PAT certificate covers all electrical systems.

Arrange the appliance-testing part

Send your equipment count, postcode, previous report if available, and preferred access windows. For multiple sites, include a location list so we can discuss a coordinated visit plan.

Planning a workplace visit? Get a PAT testing estimate or see our reports and labels before you book.